Crime

Major crime stories, justice system developments, and public safety data verified by multiple sources.

Crime May 7

FBI Opens Investigation Into Reporter Who Wrote About Kash Patel's Alleged Heavy Drinking

The FBI has reportedly opened an investigation into a journalist from The Atlantic who wrote about FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged heavy drinking. The move has drawn significant attention across the political spectrum amid broader debates over press freedom and the conduct of federal law enforcement. Separately, Senate figures have raised questions about related documents connected to the Trump administration.
Crime May 5

Judge Raises Concerns Over Jail Treatment of White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Suspect

A judge presiding over the case of the suspected White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter issued an apology and raised alarms about the defendant's treatment in custody. The development drew coverage from both left- and right-leaning outlets, though with notably different framing. The case involves an individual accused of a shooting attack connected to the high-profile annual press event.
Crime May 4

DOJ's Todd Blanche Says Comey Indictment Extends Beyond Instagram Post

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the federal indictment against former FBI Director James Comey goes beyond a widely discussed Instagram post featuring seashells. The case has drawn responses from lawmakers including Sen. Adam Schiff, who has publicly criticized the prosecution. The story is drawing coverage across the political spectrum amid debate over whether the charges represent legitimate law enforcement or political retaliation.
Crime May 3

White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Suspect Placed on Suicide Watch as Investigation Continues

The suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting has been placed on suicide watch under restrictive conditions, authorities confirmed. New details about the investigation have emerged across outlets, including a separate security incident at Trump's Florida golf course. Analysts and officials are examining how a largely unknown individual came so close to a high-profile target.
Crime Apr 30

James Comey Indicted Over Instagram Post Depicting Seashells Interpreted as Threat Against Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted following an Instagram post featuring seashells that federal prosecutors interpreted as a threat against former President Donald Trump. Comey appeared in court to face the charge, which legal observers across the political spectrum say will pose significant challenges for the Justice Department to prosecute. The case has drawn widespread attention and debate over free speech, prosecutorial discretion, and the intent behind the social media post.
Crime Apr 29

James Comey Indicted Over '86 47' Social Media Post DOJ Alleges Was a Threat Against Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by the Department of Justice over a social media post featuring seashells arranged to display '86 47,' which prosecutors allege constituted a threat against President Trump. Comey has responded to the indictment publicly. The case has drawn widespread coverage across the political spectrum, with significant disagreement over whether the post warrants criminal charges.
Crime Apr 26

Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner Venue Prompts Trump to Renew Push for White House Ballroom

A shooting incident at the Washington Hilton during or around the White House Correspondents' Dinner has prompted President Trump to renew his call for constructing a ballroom at the White House. Trump cited the hotel's security shortcomings as justification for relocating future events to a dedicated on-site facility. The proposal has drawn attention across the political spectrum following the incident.
Crime Apr 25

U.S. Soldier Arrested After Betting on Maduro Raid, Raising Prediction Market Insider Trading Concerns

A U.S. Army soldier has been arrested after allegedly placing bets on prediction markets tied to a raid involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising concerns about insider trading on platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. The case has prompted scrutiny from regulators and industry observers about whether military or government personnel with classified knowledge can exploit prediction markets for financial gain. The arrest marks one of the first high-profile cases of alleged insider trading connected to the growing prediction market industry.
Crime Apr 24

U.S. Soldier Charged With Using Classified Intel to Place Winning Bets on Maduro Raid

A U.S. soldier has been charged with using classified military intelligence to place bets on a prediction market, winning more than $400,000 by wagering on the outcome of a raid targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Department of Justice announced the charges on April 23, marking what appears to be the first known case of insider trading on a political prediction platform using government secrets.
Crime Apr 22

Florida Attorney General Opens Criminal Investigation into OpenAI Following FSU Shooting

Florida's attorney general has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI, examining whether ChatGPT played a role in the Florida State University shooting. The probe marks one of the first instances of a state government pursuing criminal charges against an AI company in connection with a mass shooting. Outlets across the political spectrum are covering the investigation, though with differing emphasis on AI regulation versus individual responsibility.
Crime Apr 22

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Resigns from Congress Ahead of Ethics Hearing on Campaign Fund Use

Florida Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress on April 21, shortly before a scheduled House Ethics Committee hearing into her alleged misuse of campaign funds. The resignation ends her tenure representing Florida's 20th congressional district. Ethics investigators had been examining allegations that she improperly used campaign money, including funds connected to FEMA disaster relief.
Crime Apr 18

Key Prosecutor Removed from Investigation Linked to John Brennan and Russia Probe Origins

A federal prosecutor overseeing an investigation connected to former CIA Director John Brennan and the origins of the Russia inquiry has been removed from the case. The move comes amid broader scrutiny of how the Justice Department is handling politically sensitive investigations under the current administration. Both left- and right-leaning outlets have noted the development, though with differing emphases on its significance.
Crime Mar 27

Tiger Woods Arrested on DUI Charge After Rollover Crash in Jupiter Island, Florida

Golf legend Tiger Woods, 50, was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge Friday afternoon after his Land Rover clipped a trailer and rolled onto its side on Jupiter Island, Florida. Woods blew 0.00 on a Breathalyzer but refused a urine test; Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said impairment was believed to involve medication or drugs. Fox News and NBC News both confirmed the arrest and mugshot release. No injuries were reported and Woods was released from jail Friday night.
Crime Mar 26

Judge Rejects Bid to Dismiss Drug Trafficking Charges Against Captured Venezuelan Leader Maduro

A federal judge in New York rejected a defense motion to dismiss narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges against former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, ruling that their trial will proceed. Maduro was captured in a U.S. military raid in Caracas on January 3, 2026, and has pleaded not guilty. NBC News and Fox News both confirmed the ruling; Trump stated 'there are other trials coming.'
Crime Mar 26

Teen Mob of 300 Descends on Downtown Chicago Loop, 8 Juveniles Arrested Before Curfew Crackdown Disperses Crowd

A group of approximately 200-300 teenagers took over the intersection of State and Lake streets in Chicago's Loop on Wednesday night, with videos showing fights, bear mace use, one unconscious teen, and vehicles being damaged before police issued a curfew enforcement order that dispersed the crowd within 40 minutes. Eight juveniles were arrested; one 16-year-old faces three felony counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. Fox News confirmed the incident; NBC News covered the related DHS and public safety landscape.
Crime Mar 26

Epstein Survivors Sue DOJ and Google After Personal Information of 100 Victims Was Published in File Release

A class-action lawsuit was filed Thursday by Jeffrey Epstein survivors against the Trump administration's DOJ and Google, alleging that the DOJ 'outed approximately 100 survivors' when releasing Epstein documents by including their private identifying information — and that Google continues to republish the data in search results and AI-generated content even after the DOJ removed it. The DOJ acknowledged 'technical or human error' in the release. NBC News and Fox News both confirmed the lawsuit.
Crime Mar 24

New Mexico Jury Orders Meta to Pay $375 Million Over Children's Mental Health and Safety Harms

A New Mexico jury concluded a nearly seven-week trial by ordering Meta to pay $375 million after finding the company engaged in 'unconscionable' trade practices by making false statements about platform safety, exploiting children's vulnerabilities, and concealing knowledge of child sexual exploitation on its platforms. Juror Linda Payton explained that the jury awarded 'the maximum amount' for each affected child. A judge will rule separately in May on whether Meta's platforms constitute a public nuisance. Over 40 state attorneys general have filed similar suits. NPR confirmed the verdict.
Crime Mar 24

Chicago Loyola Freshman Killed by Venezuelan Suspect Who Was Released Under Catch-and-Release Policy

Sheridan Gorman, 18, a Loyola University Chicago freshman, was shot and killed at Tobey Prinz Beach on March 19 after she alerted friends that a man was hiding near their pier. Jose Medina-Medina, 25, of Venezuela, was arrested and charged with murder. Prosecutors say he chased the group and shot Gorman in the back as she fled. Medina-Medina was apprehended at the border in May 2023, released under Biden-era catch-and-release policies, then arrested for shoplifting in Chicago in June 2023 but not reported to ICE due to sanctuary city policies. Breitbart, Fox News, and NBC News covered the case.
Crime Mar 24

Two Pilots Killed as Air Canada Flight Strikes Fire Truck at LaGuardia, Closing Airport

An Air Canada Jazz regional jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, killing both pilots and hospitalizing 41 others of the 76 people on board. LaGuardia closed for most of Monday, compounding already severe airport delays caused by the DHS shutdown. The NTSB is investigating; Transportation Secretary Duffy confirmed controller staffing levels and debunked a viral claim that only one controller was on duty. Fox News and Breitbart covered the crash as NBC News and NPR confirmed the investigation and political aftermath.
Crime Mar 21

Old Dominion University Shooting Investigated as Terrorism: Convicted ISIS Supporter Killed ROTC Instructor

A March 12 attack at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, left one ROTC instructor dead and two cadets injured before ROTC students subdued and killed the gunman, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh — a naturalized U.S. citizen and former National Guard member who had been convicted in 2017 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and released in December 2024. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism. Fox News, CNN, NBC News, and PBS all confirmed the details; left- and right-leaning outlets sharply disagree on the significance of the shooter's early release.
Crime Mar 21

Drug Overdose Deaths Fall Nearly 20% in 2025, Reaching Pre-Pandemic Levels; Both Parties Claim Credit

CDC provisional data released in early 2026 shows U.S. drug overdose deaths fell approximately 18 to 21 percent in 2025 — returning to pre-pandemic levels — after a peak of more than 112,000 annual deaths in 2023. Fox News credited the decline to Trump's border enforcement, while public health researchers cited naloxone distribution, expanded treatment access, and changes in the illicit drug supply. Both sides agree the data represents a significant improvement.
Crime Mar 21

DEA's Operation Fentanyl Free America Phase II Seizes 57 Million Doses in 30-Day Surge

The Drug Enforcement Administration announced results of Phase II of Operation Fentanyl Free America on March 19, reporting that a 30-day enforcement surge between January 12 and February 10 seized more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills, 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder — equivalent to 57 million potentially lethal doses — along with 147,000 pounds of cocaine, 21,000 pounds of methamphetamine, and 3,000 arrests. Fox News and regional NPR-affiliated stations confirmed the results; the DEA called the operation the most aggressive sustained fentanyl enforcement in the agency's history.